West Ham United are hoping to tie up a deal for newly-signed Monaco striker Lacina Traore just days after the Ivorian signed for the French club from Anzhi Makhachkala.

The 6ft 8in striker joined the Ligue 1 side last week from Anzhi for an undisclosed fee and has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal.

However Traore will now travel to London for a medical with West Ham but the Hammers must await a work permit hearing on Monday morning before he can be declared.

Traore has represented FC Cluj, Kuban Krasnodar and the Russian giants - with the three clubs spending a combined £26million on the 23-year-old since he broke into African side Stade Abidjan's first team in 2008.

Beleaguered West Ham United manager Sam Allardyce was also hoping to conclude a similar deal for Inter Milan striker Ishak Belfodil, but Championship side QPR have stolen a march on the Algerian forward according to the Mail.

The Hammers boss is under heavy pressure to rectify the club's poor form - after the 5-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest was followed by a 6-0 retreat to Manchester City last night - and is homing in on his second signing of the transfer window.

Having signed Roger Johnson on loan from League One side Wolverhampton Wanderers this week, Belfodil would have offered much-needed cover up front after losing Andy Carroll to injury.

Despite interest from across the continent, Allardyce appears to have finally completed a move for Traore.